Heated dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Dispensing apparatus for maintaining a liquid, such as shampoo, at a warm temperature and for facilitating dispensing thereof, which includes a generally flat base or support having a plurality of upward protrusions each including a heating element and cooperating with a resilient cylindrical container having a recessed base conforming to the surface configuration of the protrusion for direct heat transfer contact therewith.

United States Patent 1 Morgan July 29, 1975 1 HEATED DISPENSINGAPPARATUS [76] Inventor: Fred Morgan, 1 Forest Rd., Glen Burnie, Md.21061 [22] Filed: Apr. 8, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 458,892

[52] US. Cl. 222/146 HE; 219/433 [51] Int. Cl. F27D 11/00 [58] Field ofSearch 219/432, 433; 222/146 H,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,485,153 2/1924 Wolcott219/433 2,457,302 12/1948 Christensen et a1. 219/433 2,994,761 8/1961Hart et al 219/433 X 3,215,817 11/1965 Peck 219/432 X 3,325,058 6/1967West 219/433 X 3,395,836 8/1968 Stahmer 222/215 3,432,641 3/1969 Werke3,512,472 5/1970 Bei'chtold et al. 219/433 Primary ExaminerRobert B.Reeves Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. Handren Attorney, Agent, orFirmlmirie, Smiley & Linn [57] ABSTRACT Dispensing apparatus formaintaining a liquid, such as shampoo, at a warm temperature and forfacilitating dispensing thereof, which includes a generally flat base orsupport having a plurality of upward protrusions each including aheating element and cooperating with a resilient cylindrical containerhaving a recessed base conforming to the surface configuration of theprotrusion for direct heat transfer contact therewith.

14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures HEATED DISPENSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates toheated dispensing systems, and more particularly, to a heated liquiddispensing assembly providing for the improved heating of a plurality ofresilient, thermoplastic synthetic containers.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many diverse situations exist where itis desired to maintain a supply of fluid in a warm or heated conditionfor subsequent dispensing. One such application is in connection withcommercially operated hair salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and thelike. In those situations, it is often desirable to maintain a supply ofvarious different types of shampoos and hair treatment lotions at atemperature substantially equal to body temperature. In this manner, theinitial application of such fluid to the scalp creates not anuncomfortable sensation, but rather one which is soothing and somewhatrelaxing.

In the attainment of systems of the above general type, many approacheshave been taken, but have proven to be of only limited success. Forexample, electrically heated plates or stands are well-known; however,when used to heat shampoo or like fluids contained in flexible,resilient thermoplastic containers, there is the danger of the plasticmelting or at least be coming deformable if it is maintained on theheated plate for any substantial length of time. If the temperature ofthe plate is decreased to avoid this problem, typically the fluidcontained within the resilient container is not heated sufficiently tojustify use of such apparatus.

Another approach has been to form a depression or recessed area in thehot plate itself which accommodates a major lower portion of thecontainer forimproving the heating of the contents thereof. However,this approach has again exhibited numerous disadvantages in that theheat transfer relationship between the hot plate and the container isvery poor due to the air space existing between the vertical walls inthe recessed portion. Also, construction of the hot plate assemblyitself is extremely complex, which necessarily increases the costs ofmanufacture and the likelihood of future maintenance being required.

Thus, while a long standing need has been established for maintainingany number of different fluids in resilient dispensing containers atelevated temperatures, a convenient, reliable, safe and economicalsolution has heretofore been unavailable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to effectively heat a fluid contained in a flexible resilientcontainer and to maintain the same at an elevated temperature withoutdamage to the container itself.

The present invention may be summarized in that a heated dispensingapparatus includes a base member having a substantially planar uppersurface; a plurality of protrusions formed on the surface and extendingabove the plane thereof, each of the protrusions defining a generallyhorizontal aplanar support surface having a circular periphery; aheating element disposed interiorly of at least one of the protrusionsfor exclusively heating the same over substantially the entire exposedsurface area thereof; and at least one resilient, cylindrical containerremovably disposed atop the base member for heating fluid within thecontainer, the container having a diameter substantially equal to thediameter of the protrusion and having a recessed bottom conforming tothe aplanar support surface for direct heat transfer contact therewithover the entire bottom surface of the container.

Another object of this invention is to construct a heated stand having aplurality of protrusions conforming to recesses in resilient containersfor use therewith so as to facilitate the proper positioning of thecontainers atop the plate and to provide maximum heat transfertherebetween.

The present invention exhibits numerous advantages over the prior art inthat the same is simple in design, requires minimal steps inconstruction and maintenance, conveniently provides for the properpositioning of the resilient containers atop the base plate, and assuresthat a maximum heat transfer relationship is established so as to bringthe contents of the container to a desired temperature by means of areduced temperature heating element allowing the use of thermoplasticmaterials otherwise subject to heat damage.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the preferred embodimentswhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a prospective view, withparts broken away, of a preferred embodiment of a heated dispensingapparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a modification of the container ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial prospective view, with parts broken away, of analternative embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the base member of FIG. 1 with parts insection; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the heating circuit of the apparatus ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, thepresent invention includes a base member 10 of a generally rectangularconfiguration having feet 12 at the corners thereof to facilitateplacement of the base member upon a countertop or other convenientlocation. The base member may be made of any suitable material and mayeither be molded as an integral structure, or bent, stamped or assembledfrom individual pieces. Preferably, the base member 10 is constructed ofa material capable of conducting heat but not electricity and having anexterior finish decorator coordinated for consumer acceptance. The topsurface 14 of the base member 10 is substantially flat or planar and hasformed therein a plurality of protrusions 16.

Each of the protrusions 16 defines a generally horir zontal, aplanarsupport surface having a circular periphery for cooperation with aflexible, resilient con-' tainer 18. As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible,resilient container 18 is generally cylindrical and has a diametersubstantially equal to the diameter of the periphery of the protrusions16. The base or bottom surface of the container 18 is concave so as todefine a recess 20 having conforming surface configurations with respectto the surface of protrusion 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the protrusions 16 aregenerally conical such that the recesses 20 formed in the bottom ofcontainers 18 are similarly conical. Container 18 is open at its upperend and defines an upper peripheral boundary with fastening means suchas screw threads 22 for cooperation with like fastening elementsinteriorly formed on a downward flange of a cover 24. Cover 24 supportscentrally thereon an upperwardly extending nozzle 26 such that thecontents of the container may be dispensed by inverting the same andsqueezing the side walls in a wellknown manner.

Base member houses electrical circuitry for heating each of theprotrusions 16 to the exclusion of the remaining planar surface 14. Inthis manner, the overall surface 14 remains at ambient temperature toobviate the possibility of injury to a person using the apparatus.Operating potential is supplied preferably from a source of alternatingcurrent over a line cord 28 which terminates at one end in aconventional AC plug and at its opposite end in an appropriate femalereceptacle 32. Receptacle 32 cooperates with a corresponding plug (notshown) which is preferably rigidly attached to a side wall of the basemember 10. Mounted in a convenient location either on a front wall or onthe top surface 14 of base member 10 are a plurality of controls for theelectrical circuit of the system. Such controls include an off-on switch34, an individual heating element control switch 36, to be describedmore fully below, a thermostat control 38, and an appropriate indicatorlamp 40.

A modification according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG.2 and includes a shaped thermal conductor element 42 constructed of anysuitable material, such as metal. Element 42 is stamped or otherwisemade to precisely conform to the shape of the recessed area 20 in thebottom of container 18 and is permanently attached thereto by a suitableadhesive. Alternatively, element 42 may be constructed with plurallayers, the bottom or outermost of which is a thermal conductor, withthe inner layer formed of a ceramic, glass or other material capable ofstoring heat energy and slowly releasing the same interiorly of thecontainer 18.

Protrusion 16 may take any number of forms dictated, for example, bydesired asthetics or manufacturing convenience. One such alternativeconfiguration is shown in FIG. 3 in the form of a spherical section 116.As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the peripheral dimensions of protrusion116 conform substantially identically with the diameter of a container118, and the recess 120 conforms to the shape of the protrusion fordirect heat transfer contact over the entire bottom surface area of thecontainer. While two preferred embodiments of the protrusions andconforming recesses have been illustrated and described, the same are byno means exhaustive of the particular configurations encompassed by thepresent invention. Others, for example, may include more complicatedfrusto-conical, trapezoidal, stepped cylindrical, and the like shapesdepending upon the particular characteristics and configuration mostappropriate to the ultimate use of the system and the particular fluidbeing heated and dispensed.

The various heating elements designed for use in accordance with thepresent invention are preferably individual elements of the resistivetype which are disposed within base member 10 for heating theprotrusions and preferably the protrusions alone. As shown in FIG. 4,one such heating element 44 is in the form of an annular single loopconnected by leads 46 to the remaining circuitry. Loop 44 is positionedwithin a conforming recess or channel 48 defined in base member 10directly beneath its associated protrusion 16.

To facilitate mounting of the various heating elements, base member 10may be constructed with a removable bottom plate exposing the variouschannels 48 for initial installation or subsequent replacement of thevarious heating elements 44. Furthermore, the various heating elements44 may be disposed within the channels and held therein by attachment ofthe cover plate (not shown) or by any other suitable method. Onealternative method, for example, is the installation of a heatingelement, followed by the application of an appropriate potting compoundfor support of the element and promotion of more effective heat transferto the top surface of the protrusion 16.

The electrical circuit for the present invention is illustrated in FIG.5. One of the two leads of the electrical cord 28 is connected forsupplying operating potential to on-off switch 34, thermostat 38 andlamp 40, in series. The lamp 40 in turn is connected through two of theheating elements 44 back to the other lead of the cord 28. Twoadditional heating elements 44' are connected in parallel with theheating elements 44 through selector switch 36 to complete the circuit.

In operation, when switch 34 is closed, operating potential will be fedthrough the thermostat and the indicator lamp 40 to elements 44 causingthe same to be heated to their desired temperature. Thermostatic element38 is mounted within the base member 10 in a manner well-known to thoseskilled in the art such that the bimetallic or other heat sensingelement thereof is within heat proximity of the elements 44. Thus, whenthe elements have reached their desired temperature, thermostatic switch38 will open causing the extinguishment of lamp 40 and the terminationof further heating of elements 44. As the elements 44 begin to cool, thesame is detected by the thermostat 38 which thereafter again closes andcompletes the circuit to apply operating potential again to the heaters.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, four protrusions 16 are shown,and likewise, four heating elements 44 and 44' are provided within theinterior of base member 10. Since it may often be desired to have onlytwo of the four protrusions 16 maintained at an elevated temperature atany one time, an additional switch 36 is provided on the front panel ofbase 10 to selectively connect the additional heating elements 44,corresponding to the two rear protrusions 16. Since thermostat 38controls the application of operating potential to all four of theheating elements, the temperature of all of the activated elements maybe easily regulated, whether switch 36 is open or closed.

From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that all that is necessary touse the system according to the present invention, is that the baseplate 10 be located in a convenient position and the line cord 38connected to an appropriate source of AC potential. Thereafter, on-offswitch 34 can be closed and the desired temperature selected by thecontrol knob of thermostat 38. The various containers 18 may be filledwith the desired solutions and merely placed atop the protrusion 16 forheating and maintaining at a warm temperature.

At this point it is noted that each of the protrusions 16 provides anumber of very important functions. One such function is thefacilitation of the proper positioning ofthe containers l8 atop theplate so as to assure that the same will be accurately located above thevarious heating elements 44. In addition, by constructing the variousprotrusions 16 in an aplanar manner above the surface of the base memberwhile maintaining their generally horizontal or low-profileconfiguration, a substantially greater surface area is provided forimproving the amount of heat energy which may be transferred to thecontents of the container. This is further enhanced by shaping theprotrusion and the conforming recess in the container 18 such that thesame extends over substantially the entire bottom surface of thecontainer. The heat transfer relationship is therefore maximized suchthat the temperature of the protrusions may be maintained at a muchlower level. This of course adds additional safety and protects againstaccidental burns, and at the same time, assures that the containers 18will not be damaged by excessive heat; the latter being a particularadvantage where it is desired to use inexpensive, resilient containersconstructed of thermoplastic synthetic resinous materials.

While the present invention has particular utility in the dispensing ofheated shampoos and hair care lotions, it is by no means limited to suchuse. For instance, the various containers may be used for heating anddispensing different syrups, sauces or condiments in restaurants, or forthe heating and dispensing of ad hesives or other chemicals in amanufacturing facility, to cite but two examples.

lnasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations,modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

l. Heated dispensing apparatus comprising a base member having asubstantially planar upper surface;

a plurality of protrusions formed as an integral part of said surfaceand extending above the plane thereof, each of said protrusions defininga generally horizontal, unbroken, aplanar support surface having acircular periphery;

means inbedded in said base member and disposed directly below saidprotrusions for exclusively heating the same over substantially theentire exposed surface area thereof; and

at least one unitary, resilient, cylindrical container removablydisposed directly atop said base member for heating fluid within saidcontainer, said container having a diameter substantially equal to thediameter of said at least one protrusion and having ar recessed bottomconforming to said aplamar support surface for direct heat transfercontact therewith over the entire bottom surface of said container. 2.The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said 5 protrusions areconical.

3. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said protrusions arecurvilinear.

4. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said resilient containerhas a dispensing nozzle at an upper end thereof.

5. The invention as recited in claim 1 whrein said heating meanscomprise a plurality of heating elements each associated with one ofsaid protrusions.

6. The invention as recited in claim 5 further including thermostaticcontrol means operatively connected with said heating elements forregulating the temperature thereof.

7. The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein said thermostatic controlmeans is adjustable to vary the regulated temperature of said heatingelements.

8. The invention as recited in claim 4 further including circuit meansinterconnecting said plurality of heating eiements for selectivelycausing the actuation of preselected ones of said heating elementsindependently of the others.

9. The invention as recited in claim 1 further including a heat transfermember attached to the recessed bottom of said container in permanentheat transfer relationship therewith and constructed of a thermalconductor.

10. The invention as recited in claim 1, said container consistingessentially of thermoplastic synthetic resinous material.

11. Heated dispensing apparatus comprising a base member;

a plurality of protrusions formed as an integral part of said basemember, each of said protrusions defining a generally horizontal,unbroken, aplanar support surface having a circular periphery;

means embedded in said base member directly under said protrusions forexclusively heating said protrusions over substantially the entireexposed surface area thereof; and

at least one unitary, resilient container removably disposed directlyatop said base member for heating fluid within said container, saidcontainer having a recessed bottom of the same diameter as andconforming to said aplanar support surface for direct heat transfercontact therewith over the entire bottom surface of said container.

12. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein said container issubstantially cylindrical.

13. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein said protrusions are atleast partially curvilinear.

14. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein at least one of saidprotrusions extends above the upper surface of said base member.

1. Heated dispensing apparatus comprising a base member having asubstantially planar upper surface; a plurality of protrusions formed asan integral part of said surface and extending above the plane thereof,each of said protrusions defining a generally horizontal, unbroken,aplanar support surface having a circular periphery; means inbedded insaid base member and disposed directly below said protrusions forexclusively heating the same over substantially the entire exposedsurface area thereof; and at least one unitary, resilient, cylindricalcontainer removably disposed directly atop said base member for heatingfluid within said container, said container having a diametersubstantially equal to the diameter of said at least one protrusion andhaving ar recessed bottom conforming to said aplanar support surface fordirect heat transfer contact therewith over the entire bottom surface ofsaid container.
 2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein saidprotrusions are conical.
 3. The invention as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid protrusions are curvilinear.
 4. The invention as recited in claim 1wherein said resilient container has a dispensing nozzle at an upper endthereof.
 5. The invention as recited in claim 1 whrein said heatingmeans comprise a plurality of heating elements each associated with oneof said protrusions.
 6. The invention as recited in claim 5 furtherincluding thermostatic control means operatively connected with saidheating elements for regulating the temperature thereof.
 7. Theinvention as recited in claim 6 wherein said thermostatic control meansis adjustable to vary the regulated temperature of said heatingelements.
 8. The invention as recited in claim 4 further includingcircuit means interconnecting said plurality of heating elements forselectively causing the actuation of preselected ones of said heatingelements independently of the others.
 9. The invention as recited inclaim 1 further including a heat transfer member attached to therecessed bottom of said container in permanent heat transferrelationship therewith and constructed of a thermal conductor.
 10. Theinvention as recited in claim 1, said container consisting essentiallyof thermoplastic synthetic resinous material.
 11. Heated dispensingapparatus comprising a base member; a plurality of protrusions formed asan integral part of said base member, each of said protrusions defininga generally horizontal, unbroken, aplanar support surface having acircular periphery; means embedded in said base member directly undersaid protrusions for exclusively heating said protrusions oversubstantially the entire exposed surface area thereof; and at least oneunitary, resilient container removably disposed directly atop said basemember for heating fluid within said container, said container having arecessed bottom of the same diameter as and conforming to said aplanarsupport surface for direct heat transfer contact therewith over theentire bottom surface of said container.
 12. The invention as recited inclaim 11 wherein said container is substantially cylindrical.
 13. Theinvention as recited in claim 11 wherein said protrusions are at leastpartially curvilinear.
 14. The invention as recited in claim 11 whereinat least one of said protrusions extends above the upper surface of saidbase member.